150 special trains to bring in pilgrims from across India for Simhastha peak days

Nashik: The railway administration has prepared a mega plan to run over 150 special trains per day from various parts of the country to and from Nashik during peak days of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, said Nashik Trimbakeshwar Kumbha Mela Authority commissioner Shekhar Singh.Singh said, “Each day, during the peak four-day period of the Amrit Snan, 75 trains from the north and 75 from the south will run to ensure safe transit for pilgrims.”The Railways is speculating movement of over three crore passengers during the Kumbh Mela. Train movement is expected to peak during the Amrit Snan days that witness holy bathing rituals of seers and devotees at Ram Kund in Nashik and Kushawart Teerth in Trimbakeshwar.

The number of ghats has been increased to facilitate large gatherings.“At present, a complete transformation of five major railway stations in the region, including Nashik Road, is under way with advanced facilities — like additional platforms, loop lines, foot overbridges and holding areas — being built to handle the influx of devotees coming in special trains,” said Singh.Trains will arrive from key stations like Kamakhya, Howrah, Patna, Delhi, Jaipur, Bikaner, Nagpur, Nanded and states including Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala alongside local MEMU services.

The trains will operate from separate stations.“The Authority has decided on geographical decentralisation to manage the crowd and reduce pressure on the main Nashik Road station. Accordingly, trains arriving from north India will terminate at Odha, Kasbe Sukene and Kherwadi stations, while trains from the south will terminate at Deolali and Nashik Road.As part of the infrastructure development, two new foot overbridges, a new building, a roof plaza and sheds are being constructed at Nashik Road, whereas a new 555m-high platform, two additional platforms and a sewage treatment plant are being built at Deolali.The work for six stabling lines, additional loop lines and long loop lines at Odha, an island platform at Kherwadi and new loop lines at Kasbe Sukene is moving rapidly. All five regional stations are being equipped with shelters and drinking water facilities. The Mela Tower is being modernised and the goods shed will be used as a temporary holding area.